Use Windows Defender Instead Of 3rd Party Antivirus on Windows 10

Windows 10 includes its own antivirus and anti-malware against viruses and malware called “Windows Defender". It scans programs user opens, and downloads new definition from Windows Update. It has cloud protection which prevents newer malware and viruses. As a product of Microsoft, Windows Defender works best when protecting Microsoft’s applications like Outlook, Microsoft Office, IE, Edge etc. So user should feel safe with baseline level of antivirus protection provided by this product. Windows defender catches almost 95% of known threats and 85% of daily exploits which is suitable for average user. User can control windows defender behavior from control panel.

Windows defender includes real-time, cloud-based protection, and automatic submission. It finds malware by scanning your system in real-time. Cloud based protection and automatic submission of files will allow windows defender to share information about malware files.

Windows defender works in the background and does not disturb user by interrupting about the job its performing until it finds any malware. It will not even ask what to do with the infected file; it will clean up and quarantine the infected files automatically. Windows defender updates are downloaded and installed by windows update service and it does not require system restart to reflect changes. It displays protection and update status on home screen.

Features for enterprise users

To help enterprise customers, windows defender has provided a new service "Windows Defender Advanced Threat protection" to detect, investigate, and respond to advance attacks. With combination of client technology and cloud service, windows defender advanced threat protection will help detect threats, provide information to investigate the root and offer response recommendations.

Windows Defender Advanced threat protection

Detect Advanced Attacks give information that what and why the attack has happened.

As Windows Defender advanced threat protection is built-in application of windows 10, it will be kept updated, lowering cost, with no installation required.

Enabling protection against Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)

User can protect windows against PUPs (Potentially unwanted programs) through Windows Defender. PUPs protection is only available for enterprise customers. PUPs are programs that you do not want on your system, and which can do more harm than good. User can protect himself from PUPs by enabling this protection policy setting. User can do this by editing windows registry

Open Run search and write “regedit" and find this key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Restart the computer to reflect changes. Windows 10 will show a display box when a PUP file is blocked.

Bottom line

Windows Defender is pretty good for basic protection. At least better than not having an antivirus at all. For basic levels of computer usage, Windows Defender does a good job but if you want advanced protection, you will need third party Internet Security software which offer advanced threat protection levels.

Are you using Windows Defender for your computer or a third party security software? Please mention your favorite one in the comments below.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

2 Comments

Bronwyn
October 22, 2016 @
8:21 AM

I was using it and somehow it became locked by group policy and now tells me I have to see my security administrator to unlock it! That has to be me – it’s my comp at home and I’m the only one who uses it. I tried running it as administrator and got the same message. I can’t figure out any way to unlock it so now I am going to try your fix for editing the group policy and see if I can do anything through that